Traveling to Switzerland

Security issues for the traveler

They are active during tourist season (summer and Christmas time) as well as during the conferences and exhibitions in big cities.

Most crimes occur in the areas where drug dealers are located. You should be also cautious at the railway stations, public transport, airport and public places.

Visiting different areas of the city

It is not recommended to walk alone on unlighted streets in suburb areas. In crowded places do not forget about pickpockets and swindlers.

Actions to take in case of arrest by the police officers

Contact the Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Bern, Mr. Yerkebulan Tauekel

+41 76 648 5666

Road traffic

Features

Right-hand traffic. The level of the road safety in Switzerland is very high.

The traffic police carefully monitoring the situations on the road.

High fines are given for traffic violations.

The seat belt usage is mandatory. The children under 12 years old must sit in a special child seat placed in the back seat.

The headlights of the car must be always turned on at highways, during the rain and in the tunnels.

It is forbidden to drive using parking lights.

Speed limit in urban area – 50 km/h (residential areas 20-30 km/h), on main highways – 80 km/h, on autobahns – 120 km/h. On mountain roads after the snowfall it is necessary to install the chains on the tires.

Most parking places in Switzerland are equipped with standard parking meters to pay.

The price of the first hour is from 0,5 to 1,5 CHF

Payment of road tax

The Swiss autobahn/autoroute system requires the purchase of a Vignette - toll sticker - which costs CHF 40. It should be placed on the windshield.

The procedure on acquisition of an insurance

The driver needs to have the automobile liability insurance and the Green Card international insurance.

The possibility of using the driving license of Kazakhstan

The driving license should be in English, French, German or Italian languages.

Car rent

To rent the car you must present international driving license and the credit card, where the deposit consisting of the amount on franchise and pledge for fuel will be freezed. That amount will be unlocked after returning the car in a period of 2-4 weeks.

Mandatory insurance (except the excess of the sum of insurance), airport charges and local taxes are included into the rental price of a car.

There are no restrictions on mileage during the rental.

The fuel is not included into the rental price.

The car is given with a full tank and must be returned with a full tank as well.

With a rented car in Switzerland you can cross the borders of other European countries in case of making a prior request or having validate visa.

Actions in case of a car accident

In case of a car accident you need to write down the number of the vehicle registration plate, place, time of an accident, the details of the driver and the documents (driving license, registration certificate) as well as the details of possible witnesses.

Call 117 for the police. Afterwards, you need to find out the name of the insurance company of the car.

In case injured people, it is necessary to provide them the first aid and call the ambulance 144 or 140.

At minor injuries and mutual consent between the parts, the Unfallprotokoll is filled up. It is a protocol of the accident that is signed by the drivers who are involved in the accident and sent by them to the insurance companies. In that case there is no need to call the police.

Local laws and customs

The norms of behavior

Switzerland is measured and peaceful country.

That is why it is important to behave yourself restrained and follow the general rules of behavior.

You should keep the silence from 22 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The penalties for different types of crime

By the Swiss law, the offender is punished by a fine or imprisonment in case of committing a crime.

Marital law of the country

The decision on the divorce of the family, which has minor children, is taken by the court.

The court also defines with whom of the parents the child will be after the divorce.

Local legislation of purchasing property in the country for foreigners.

Foreign citizens have limited rights to purchase a property in Switzerland. Non-resident firstly needs to have a special permit to purchase a property. 1500 permits are given every year to the foreigners to purchase the property. These quotas are distributed among the cantons, which require the development of tourism and economic growth. Non-residents have the right to purchase the property in Switzerland only for relaxation.

The availability of the property does not give a right to obtain a residence permit.

Healthcare

Most common health issues

General epidemiological situation in the country is serene. There are no natural infections in Switzerland, but in the province you should beware from the possibility of getting infection of rabies, tick-borne and gastrointestinal diseases.

There are no requirements of any specific vaccinations, but when visiting the mountains it is desirable to conduct the immunization against tetanus, diphtheria and polio.

Healthcare features

In case of the visit to a doctor or hospitalization you must make a deposit or provide a health insurance. In other case you will need to pay medical services in cash.

Medical services are very expensive. For example serious health problems requiring hospitalization or evacuation from the country will cost you several thousands of Swiss francs.

The cost of medical consultation begins from 250 CHF, a full examination (1-2 days) including wide range of diagnostic measures costs between 2500-3000 CHF.

Vaccination

The certificate on vaccination is required from the people who were in the area of epidemics in the last 14 days prior arrival to Switzerland (especially yellow fever).

Medical insurance

The valid medical insurance is required during the whole visit to Switzerland.

Emergency medical care

In case if you need an urgent medical assistance, call the nearest hospital or a medical service 144 (24 hours) and inform them your details, where are you calling from, what happened and what has been already taken.

Any dental treatment is provided on payments.

Additional information

Climate

In Geneva it is a maritime climate, which means that the weather is in favor to tourists and to locals during the year.

The summer is soft and warm. The temperature of Leman lake allows the swim the entire season, which lasts from May to September.

The autumn is rainy and not sunny. During that period tourists prefer to go for sightseeing and excursions.

The winter in Geneva is almost without frosts. The snow fall is not every year, but there is enough snow in the mountains for skiing or snowboarding. Moreover, there is a freezing rain sometimes around the Leman lake area.

Useful phone numbers

Fire: 118

Police: 117

Ambulance: 144

Road accidents: 140

Rescue Helicopter Service: 1414

Other

Average fare for a taxi – 4 CHF/km, possibility of a base fee charge – 5 to 6 CHF.

The minimum fare for a public transport (bus, tram, trolleybus) – 2,8 CHF.

The average cost for a lunch in a self service cafe – 25 to 35 CHF. In the restaurant – around 60 CHF.

The average cost for a room in a hotel – 120 CHF.

The institutions in Switzerland on weekdays are open from 08.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00. Saturday and Sunday are days off. The Swiss banks are generally open from 08.30 to 16.30 except weekends. Once a week the banks are open longer than usual.

The post offices in big cities are open on weekdays from 08.30 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00. On Saturday open from 07.30 to 11.00 and Sunday are closed.

The distance from the city center, railway station, bus station and the airport

The major airports are located in Geneva, Zurich and Basel. The distance from Geneva airport and the train station to the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan is about 2,5 and 4 km consequently. There are no luggage carriers at the airports and train stations.